Today is a good day to remember when I was first became aware of acts of courage in pursuit of principles. It was the Greensboro lunch counter sit-ins. At a Woolworth store. At that time we had “dime stores” and Woolworth was one of three in my city’s downtown. And, they each had a lunch counter. Our local drug stores had soda fountains/counters. It was via national television that the fact of serving “whites only” in a dime store in North Carolina was brought home to me with enough force to capture my attention. I recall thinking how brave the young students were to remain seated after being refused service. I admit wondering if I’d be brave enough to stand on principles as was being depicted down south.
The sit-ins were an example of various calls to action in the Civil Rights Era. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 followed many years of struggle. I just remember being so impressed by the dignity of the stoic students who were obviously not well received. For some reason it had more impact for me than large marches/protests. I saw a disticntion between being on the fringe in support of hundreds/thousands compared to being one of a handful of kids isolated and alone in a hostile enviroment. It had a big impression on my awareness and sense of fairness. I think Woolworth’s changed their policy soon afterwards.
MLK fashioned protests after Ghandi. Peaceful protests; words often used in today’s news but rarely duplicated by quiet dignity of purpose. I do not feel stirred by the clamor/chaos of crowds hurling insults/trash/bricks/fireworks. Perhaps the eagle eyed members of the press overlook the high volume of quiet vigils/petitions/civil discourse that floods our nation. However, somehow I suspect everyone is in cahoots to stir the pot without real purpose except to rile folks into a state that is ripe to be lured into voting for the glimmer of hope candidates/parties who promise calm. Papa finds it hard to pay attention when my 1960 memory of doing it correctly lingers in the mind.